Statement by Prince Charles at State Dinner

Thank you, Mr. President, for those
incredibly kind words and for gathering us all here for this special
dinner. The warmth of your hospitality
this evening mirrors that of the welcome that my wife and I have been so
touched to receive throughout our stay in The Gambia, and we could hardly be
more grateful to you, your government and the people of The Gambia for all the
arrangements that have been made on our behalf.

I can only say, Ladies and Gentlemen, how
sorry I am that it has taken us all these years to come and see you. I remember quite clearly The Queen and The
Duke of Edinburgh returning from their own visit to The Gambia in 1961, when I
was just thirteen, and telling me how much they had enjoyed their time
here. I remember seeing some of the
photographs that my father had somehow managed to take with his miniature Minox
camera and thinking how marvellous it would be to visit myself one day. Little did I know that it would take me
nearly fifty-seven years to get here!
Having enjoyed our visit as we have, all I can say, however, is that it
has been well worth the wait!

It has given us both particular pleasure to
be able to celebrate the strength of the ties between our two countries and the
many areas in which we work together closely in our shared interest. We have also been fortunate to meet so many
people who are making a profound difference to this partnership, whether
British or Gambian or, indeed, one of the countless people who have a home in
both countries and are, in so many ways, a living bridge between us.

Last week, at St James’s Palace in London,
my wife and I invited representatives of the British Gambian community – as
well as the British Ghanaian and Nigerian communities – to join us for a
Reception to celebrate the remarkable contribution that these communities make
to life in the United Kingdom and to the relationship between our countries.

These people-to-people connections are, it
seems to me, one of the greatest strengths of the Commonwealth, and are
absolutely vital in a changing world where so many of the enormous challenges
we face – of dangerously accelerating climate change, rapid urbanization,
unsustainable population growth, youth unemployment alongside ocean
acidification, threatened marine ecosystems and unsustainable fisheries – are
ones that are common to us all.

I firmly believe that the Commonwealth
offers us the best hope of coming together to address some of these challenges,
and I was delighted, therefore, that earlier this year The Gambia, once again,
took her place among the Commonwealth family of nations. Precisely because of everything that this
country and her people have been through in recent years, The Gambia can play a
vital role in defending our Commonwealth values of democracy, tolerance, human
rights and the Rule of Law.

Knowing just how difficult The Gambia’s
recent history has been, and how much pain and injustice the Gambian people
have endured, I can only express my heartfelt admiration for the courage and
determination you have all shown in turning your back on twenty-two years of
autocratic rule and embracing a peaceful and democratic transition of
power. In so doing, this country has
offered an example to the World, and proof of the enduring power of our
Commonwealth values.

This was just the beginning, of course, and
I can only say, Mr. President, that the British people and, indeed, all of your
fellow Commonwealth citizens, will continue to support the Government and
people of The Gambia on the journey you are taking towards peace, stability and
sustainable economic growth. We in the
United Kingdom know, from our bitter experience of conflict on the island of
Ireland – and of the wrongs that were done and the injustice that was
perpetrated, on all sides – just how
hard it can be to lay to rest the ghosts of the past. But it has to be done, if a future is to be
built which does justice to the sacrifice of all those who came before, and to
the aspirations of all those who come after.

I know you share this view, Mr. President,
and that you are committed to building a better future for The Gambia – whether
through the work of the Truth, Reconciliation & Reparations Commission to
bring closure to those that suffered under the former regime; or through the
efforts of the Constitutional Review to ensure that the principles of
democracy, human rights and good governance are protected; or through bold
reforms to provide the vital economic growth and job creation that your young
population deserves.

As I said this morning at McCarthy Square,
please know that the United Kingdom, and the other members of the Commonwealth,
stand with all of you, as you build your country anew. The Gambia and her people have the most
extraordinary potential and I have every confidence that over the years ahead
we will see that potential realized in so many ways.

Once again, Mr. President, my wife and I
would like to offer you, and the people of The Gambia, our heartfelt thanks for
the wonderful welcome that has been afforded to us here. It has given us the greatest pleasure and
pride to be able to join you in celebrating the ties between the United Kingdom
and The Gambia, and between the members of our Commonwealth family, and I can
assure you that we will take back with us a host of special memories.

Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Can I invite you to raise your glasses and
join me in a toast to the enduring friendship between us, and to the President
and people of The Gambia.